Bryan Sperber

In nearly two decades of motorsports experience – more than half of which have been spent leading a NASCAR Sprint Cup venue – and originally hailing from the racing hotbed of Daytona Beach, Fla., it’s safe to say Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan Sperber is well-versed in the field of stock car racing. But beyond that, he is a visionary who has helped push multiple facilities into the new millennium, while also serving as a well-rounded community leader and philanthropist throughout his career.

In March of 2002, Phoenix International Raceway announced the appointment of Mr. Sperber as President of the West’s most historic NASCAR Sprint Cup setting. In his position, Mr. Sperber is responsible for the strategic vision and operational management of Arizona’s premier motorsports venue. In addition to presiding over PIR, Mr. Sperber concurrently served as Chairman of California Speedway in the Los Angeles market from 2005 to 2007.

As host to two NASCAR Sprint Cup events annually, PIR welcomes more than 400,000 race fans, a blue chip roster of sponsors, and millions of television viewers to PIR each year. In connection with the Checker Auto Parts 500, the track also has the designation of hosting the semifinal stop in the Chase for the Sprint Cup – NASCAR’s version of the playoffs.

Under Mr. Sperber’s leadership, PIR was successful in acquiring its second NASCAR Sprint Cup event – the Subway Fresh Fit 500™. Debuting in 2005, the evening race, broadcast in primetime on FOX under the lights, placed Phoenix International Raceway in select company as one of only 14 tracks to host two Sprint Cup races a year.

During Mr. Sperber’s tenure, PIR has completed a comprehensive capital improvement plan that has resulted in more than $50 million dollars of re-investment in the venue. The improvements to the facility include: a new interactive midway, modification of turn 2 to improve racing action, a state-of-the-art lighting system, the construction in turn 1 of 14,000 new seats, 26 new suites, the debut of industry-leading luxury lounge OCTANE, and – new in 2008 – the Perch, a high-end motorcoach hospitality area fully equipped with water, sewage, electricity, TV and wireless Internet capabilities and an elevated view of the race track.

Proving that the improvements have been well received, NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers named PIR their No. 2 favorite race track in a 2007 Sports Illustrated survey. In 2006, under Mr. Sperber’s leadership, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano named Phoenix International Raceway as an "Arizona Treasure,” – an honor bestowed upon PIR as a premier tourist destination within the State of Arizona. Another award garnered by PIR under Sperber’s watch includes the John F. Long Lifetime Achievement Award from WESTMARC, which honors a person, organization or entity that has exemplified outstanding service by contribution to the lifestyle of Western Maricopa County.

In 2009, Mr. Sperber was named “Advocate of the Year” by the Arizona Tourism Alliance for his work and leadership in driving visitors to the state. He has been ranked among the top 5 “Power Brokers” by Arizona Sports & Leisure Magazine three times – ranking No. 2 in 2006 and No. 5 in 2005 and 2009. In 2007 he was named to West Valley Magazine’s list of 24 “Movers & Shakers,” and in 2006 he was named to the Phoenix Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list of top executives.

Prior to his arrival at PIR, Mr. Sperber served as President of Watkins Glen International in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Named to that position at the age of 30, Mr. Sperber became NASCAR’s youngest track president when he was promoted from his previous position as International Speedway Corporation’s Director of Sponsorships in 1997. Mr. Sperber began his career at ISC – parent company to PIR and Watkins Glen – in 1990.

While at Watkins Glen, Mr. Sperber worked with Schuyler County officials to bring water and sewage service to the district, not only for the race track and area residents, but to spur business growth in the form of support to create the county’s first-ever business park. In addition, he served on the board of directors for the International Motor Racing Research Center, the world-class leader in the collection of materials representing the documentary heritage of amateur and professional motor racing, highlighting Sports Car, Formula 1, NASCAR, and vintage and Historic racing.

Extremely active in the community – both in business and philanthropic sectors – Mr. Sperber is an active member of Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL), an organization dedicated to improve the greater Phoenix area and the State of Arizona by bringing together talent, resources, and leadership to create action on priority issues. He is also a member of Phoenix’s Young President’s Organization (YPO), and serves on the Arizona State University Foundation’s Board of Trustees. In his philanthropic efforts, Mr. Sperber is board president for Cy Young Award winning pitcher Brandon Webb’s charitable “K Foundation,” and he is a co-founder and board member for Kyle Petty’s Victory Invitational Celebrity Golf Tournament.

 Mr. Sperber is a graduate of Florida State University and is a member of the FSU Alumni Club. He and his wife, Lara, reside in Peoria with their son, Aaron.